Michael Announces - Music Matters "LIVE" Paramount Theatre Seattle Washington, May 12, 2012 - Concert to Feature Rare Scores Donated on Behalf of Sir Elton John -

SYNERGIA NORTHWEST 2 Rocks the Moore Theatre

Seattle Washington - July 2011 As the house lights went down in Seattle's Moore Theatre and the orchestra hit the customary, hall filling concert A, a familiar energy surfaced once again as Dr. Nikolas Caoile led the 50 piece Synergia Orchestra through the opening number; Beethoven's Egmont Overture. Synergia Northwest 's sophomore event was underway. By the end of the evening Synergia Northwest 2011 beautifully fulfilled it's mission, blending classical, contemporary, professional and student musicians into one concert, unifying musicians across cultures, ages and musical genres all in the name of Washington State Youth Music Education.

"It was like we picked up right where we left off in 2010" Said Synergia Northwest Producer and Musical Director Michael McMorrow. "I believe moving the 2nd event to Seattle and the Moore Theater was a big test for us, we knew we had to step up what we did in Tacoma last year, remain faithful to our concept while providing a place where concert goers and musicians alike can participate in an emotional and moving musical experience while sharing in a cause that runs deep for all who attend; providing extended learning, enrichment and performance opportunities to Northwest area students who would not have the necessary financial resources.

"As the concert took shape, it's musical format began to emerge; a continuous piece broken into two sets that weaved in and out of genre and encapsulated centuries of music within a two hour performance. Included in this years event were Seattle's own Queensrÿche, Alan White and his band White, Michael McMorrow, John Popper and Brendan Hill of Blues Traveler, Shawn Smith of Brad, former members of Heart, Geoffrey Castle, Tennis Pro, Kokon Taiko and many others, all backed by the highly skilled Synergia Northwest Orchestra.

Among this years beneficiaries were Music Matters the self-perpetuating fundraising proposal to help support school music programs through sales of a distinctive new license plate, available through the Washington State Department of Licensing. These special license plates will now be available to purchase by every car owner in Washington State in January 2012.

Plans for the 3rd annual Synergia Northwest concert are already underway and although no specifics have been released, Synergia Northwest 2012 is bound to be another wonderful musical journey full of many surprises.

Michael and Synergia Northwest Partner with STG's "DANCE This"

With performances scheduled July 8 and 9 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, Washington, Synergia Northwest Orchestra Musicians http://www.synergianorthwest.com/ will invoke the spirit of Leonard Bernstein during DANCE This.


This year STG'S 13th Annual DANCE This features music from West Side Story and invited musician and Synergia Northwest Producer and Musical Director Michael McMorrow to act as Musical Director for Broadway Choreographer Joey McKneely from West Side Story, who set the Jerome Robbins dances on young auditioned dancers. McKneely studied under Jerome Robbins http://www.broadwaysd.com/blog/?p=1305 and reproduced and rejuvenated the choreography for the Tony Award Winning Broadway revival that opened in 2009 . McKneely also directed several major productions of West Side Story around the world.  Synergia Northwest Orchestra Director Bret Smith will conduct. 


"Witnessing Joey teach and inspire these young dancers has been a fantastic experience." said McMorrow.  "These students of dance auditioned for the chance to work with Joey and other terrific professionals in a real life atmosphere. The perfomance will be a highlight of the evening."


In keeping with the true spirit of Synergia Northwest, the 18 piece pit orchestra includes professional and top student musicians including players from Ingraham High School in Seattle.


"DANCE This and Synergia Northwest have very similar mission's; giving youth performers opportunities to excel and grow beyond classrooms and studios." explains McMorrow  "This is life changing stuff. Don't be surprised if you see future collaborations between Synergia Northwest and DANCE This."

Joey McKneely and the West Side Story National Broadway Tour will be here in Seattle at the Paramount in January.


Synergia Northwest blends classical, contemporary, professional and student musicians into one concert, unifying cultures, ages and musical genres, raising funds to provide extended learning, enrichment and performance opportunities to Northwest area students who would not have the necessary financial resources.

The first Synergia Northwest concert launched in 2010 at Tacoma's historic Temple Ballroom in the Landmark Convention Center. And this year made its Seattle debut at The Moore Theater featuring such artist as Alan White, Queensryche, Heart By Heart, Special guest appearances by Geoffrey Castle, Original members of HEART, Michael McMorrow, Blues Traveler's John Popper and Brendan Hill and many others all alongside the 50 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra.  Plans for Synergia Northwest 2012 are currently underway. http://www.synergianorthwest.com/



 

SYNERGIA NORTHWEST MARKS FIRST YEAR SUCCESS
 

Seattle Washington - June 2010 -- A first of its kind event, Synergia Northwest blended classical, contemporary, professional and student musicians into one concert, unifying musicians across cultures, ages and musical genres.Two years in the planning, Synergia Northwest proved to be everything it was billed to be and more, all in the name of Washington State Youth Music Education.

"It was a grand and successful musical experiment and due to the overwhelming response from audience members and participants, the Synergia Northwest concept will continue to blossom and grow." said musician Michael McMorrow, Synergia Northwest Executive Producer and Musical Director. "We learned a lot this time around and for such a new concept we did well. We ended up raising much needed funds that will provide extended learning, enrichment and performance opportunities to students who would not have the necessary financial resources We are grateful to Music Aid Northwest for receiving and distributing the funds to Young Musicians Excelling, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra and Music Aid Northwest's "Music Matters" Washington State license plate campaign,"

The concert performance was one continuous piece broken into 2 sets that weaved in and out of genre and encapsulated centuries of music within a 2 hours performance.

Musicians who lent their talents to this historic breathtaking performance included some of the Pacific Northwests most high profile rock recording artists all backed by the 46 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra including Grammy award-winning drummer Alan White (Yes, John Lennon) renowned guitarist Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers, Bad Company) with Randy Hansen, Mike Derosier, Michael McMorrow - Grammy nominated Eugene, Oregon native Tracy Bonham (Mother, Mother) -- visionary six-string violinist Geoffrey Castle, Seattle Seahawk Blue Thunder and 31 years in the making reunion of Original Members of "Heart" Steve Fossen. Roger Fisher, Michael Derosier, Howard Leese with vocalist Somar Macek.

JOHN POPPER JAMS ON NEW STOLEN OGRE RELEASE
Band to release preview EP to radio and iTunes

Seattle, WA - Recorded at Robert Lang Studios in Seattle, WA, the new material includes a Stolen Ogre performance staple "So We Danced" and the brand new rootsy "Tequila Mockingbird" that features Harmonica Virtuoso and Blues Traveler Front Man John Popper.

"It really is a classic Popper performance and we couldn't be happier" remarks McMorrow. "I had this idea of what I would like to hear on the track; John comes strolling in a day before driving to Austin to record with Blues Traveler and just nailed it. It was what I had been hearing in my head except a thousand times better."

It isn't the first time SO has explored its rootsy side, Road to Jericho includes the acoustic "Wheat" and roots rocker "Lay Me Down" which went on to receive national airplay.

Stolen Ogre is releasing a preview of the new material in the form of the Tequila Mockingbird EP which includes the Popper infused single "Tequila Mockingbird", "House of Candy" and "So We Danced" while working on finishing the full length CD. The EP will be available to fans through iTunes Zune.net , Rhapsody, Yahoo, Napster and other digital download locations.

 

JOHN POPPER FEATURED ON NEW STOLEN OGRE ALBUM

SEATTLE, WA Michael McMorrow began work on Stolen Ogre's latest album over a year ago in Seattle, Washington . A year or so after the bands debut album "Road to Jericho" he hunkered down with band mate Pamela Tobiason, at his home studio, and started creating the first strains of new music destined for SO's sophomore release. The record is reminiscent of RTJ.

"Think of dipping into "Road to Jericho" and running it through a sieve then melting down the remaining nuggets with a healthy dose of a more prominent Pamela and you just might get a glimpse of what's to come" says Michael.

McMorrow with the help of bassist and band mate Marc Willet are producing the new material, which includes a Stolen Ogre performance staple "So We Danced" and the brand new rootsy "Tequila Mockingbird" that features Harmonica Virtuoso and Blues Traveler Front Man John Popper; his first recording of 2007.

"I'll never forget a comment Scotty (SO's Saxman) made to me in the studio as I strapped on the mandolin to begin tracking Tequila..." Scotty looks at me with this classic Scotty look and says, "Are you sure man?"

It isn't the first time SO has explored its rootsy side and listening to Tequila Mockingbird you know from the first bars why the band continues to journey down this rural path. It's a perfect fit.

"We are really going for the performances this time around" Michael comments. "If the overall performance is there we keep it. It has really made the difference in the final mixes.

Stolen Ogre is releasing a preview of the upcoming release nationally to Triple A Radio in May which includes the McMorrow/Tobiason composed- Popper infused single "Tequila Mockingbird", while working on finishing the entire album.

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OLDER NEWS

STOLEN OGRE MAKES SECOND APPEARANCE ON NATIONAL COMPILATION
Band reaching out to fans while working on sophomore effort

SEATTLE, WA June 6, 2006, As Stolen Ogre's follow-up to their debut record "Road to Jericho" continues to be crafted, the band is reaching out to new fans by appearing on a second Relix Magazine compilation. As a national Relix Jamoff winner Stolen Ogre made it's first appearance on a special Relix CD and in the January 2006 issue was touted as one of Relix's Hot New Bands among some of the best unsigned groups in the country. The song "Icing" was selected for the compilation. The June/July issue of Relix Magazine includes a new compilation which features "Jericho" the title track from "Road to Jericho". Also on the compilation are Les Claypool, Hot Tuna (w/ Bill Graham Intro), Sam Bush, New Riders of the Purple Sage among others.

In addition to Relix retail outlets and subscription base, the CD sampler issue will be distributed at major music festivals such as Tennessee's Bonnaroo Music and Arts festival, New York's Mountain Jam and California's High Sierra as well as other events throughout the country.

"It is an honor to be among such amazing world class artists and being distributed in such a world class magazine." remarks Michael McMorrow," Reaching new fans right in the heart of the music scene we were spawned from really is what it is all about."

It was on a H.O.R.D.E. festival tour that McMorrow met and jammed with Blues Traveler drummer Brendan Hill. Inspired from those jam sessions, Hill along with McMorrow became founding members of Stolen Ogre which, in fact, was named after a good luck ogre doll that resided on Hill's drum kit during Blues Traveler's early years. Hill also recorded on the band's debut release Road To Jericho.

Like H.O.R.D.E, Bonnaroo has become a pivotal force for the Jam scene. Rolling Stone magazine named this revolutionary entertainment experience one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock and roll. Ironically, as H.O.R.D.E. festival founders Blues Traveler makes thier first appearance at Bonnaroo, Stolen Ogre will gain more exposure in the Bonnaroo Beacon, the daily program for the 4 day music fest, by being the band highlighted in daily Shadowhawk Records' ads.

Relix Magazine after almost 30 years and with over 300,000 readers and growing is still "a music magazine "deadicated" not only to entertaining its readership, but providing a true community for lovers of "music for the mind". Making its first fully dedicated reach outside the U.S., a Japanese version of Relix was recently launched in Japan.

Stolen Ogre is the studio working on its second Shadowhawk Records release and staying close to their home in Seattle, Washington "conserving fuel" quips McMorrow.

 

STOLEN OGRE BEGINS NEXT ALBUM
RELIX MAGAZINE ~ "Stolen Ogre - Hot New Band"
'LITTLE DRUMMER BOY' AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

SEATTLE, WA (Winter 2005/2006)
Stolen Ogre has begun writing the follow-up to 2004's debut "Road to Jericho" While the group has not released any definite track listing, Michael McMorrow remarked that "House of Candy" and "So We Danced" are "definite candidates". "We basically are in the writing and pre-production process. "Up From the Sky" (working title) will mark growth in the groups sound. "Think of dipping into "Road to Jericho" and running it through a sieve then melting down the remaining nuggets with a healthy dose of a more prominent Pamela and you jusy might get a glimpse of what's to come" says Michael.

The December/January issue of Relix Magazine;The flagship magazine for the ever expanding underground Jamband music world includes 2005 Jamoff winners Stolen Ogre 'On the Verge'. "Stolen Ogre remains honest, playing straightforward jam rock while keeping it's lyrics candid and meaningful." writes Relix. . The Relix 2005 Jamoff compilation which includes Stolen Ogre's "Icing" from "Road to Jericho", can initially be downloaded from emusic.com.

Speaking of downloads, just in time for the holiday season, Stolen Ogre's version of the Holiday classic "Little Drummer Boy" can be downloaded from the bands website at www.stolenogre.com in various formats. This is the version that the band released nationally to radio winter 2004. MP3 and a flac file (lossless file) versions will be available through the end of the year.

 

(UPDATE!) RELIX MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES STOLEN OGRE AS JAMOFF2005 WINNER

NEW YORK CITY, NY (July 2005)
2005 JamOff Winners Announced
Stolen Ogre is pleased to announce that Relix Magazine and Jambands.com have chosen Stolen Ogre as one of 13 winners in the Relix Magazine JamOff Competition . Our song "Icing" will be appearing on a compilation CD that will be distributed inside an upcoming issue of Relix Magazine and at music festivals all across the country. Also, by making the final 13, we are in the running to win a record deal with Hybrid Recordings. This year's winners were picked from a pool of over 300 unsigned artists by a panel of Relix Magazine and Jambands.com staff members and hail from all corners of the country.

Relix Magazine after almost 30 years and with over 380,000 readers and growing is still " a music magazine "deadicated" not only to entertaining its readership, but providing a true community for lovers of "music for the mind".

"It is an honor to be one of the Jamoff winners." remarked Michael McMorrow "With-in the growing community it is obvious the they have totally embraced the spirit and energy of this music and we are happy to be reaching them." "I am pleased they picked "Icing" as it not only really represents what this band is made of but it kicks major ass live."
 

2005 --- RELIX AND JAMBANDS.COM SELECT STOLEN OGRE AS ONE OF THE "JAMOFF13" WNNERS

NEW YORK CITY, NY (July 2005)
2005 JamOff Winners Announced
Thirteen winners have been chosen for the second annual JamOff competition. This year's winners were picked from a pool of over 300 unsigned artists by a panel of Relix Magazine and Jambands.com staff members and hail from all corners of the country. Each winner will be featured on a CD-compilation which will be included in an upcoming issue of Relix and will also be distributed at music events across the country. Several artists will also be featured in a New York City showcase this fall. The 2005 JamOff winners are Corinne West, Delta Nove, Free Peoples, Furley, Green Lemon, Jacob, Jazz Bastards, Plum Crazy, Scarecrow Collection, Stolen Ogre, Swamp Cabbage, The Blue Method and The Hot Buttered Rum String Band.

2005 --- STOLEN OGRE CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE BEST OF 2004

Scranton/Wilkes Barre, PA Out of over 500 CD’s, WVIA selects ROAD TO JERICHO as one of its “Best of 2004” along with releases from artists such as Ben Harper, Gov’t. Mule and Elvis Costello among others.

2005 --- STOLEN OGRE JOIN WITH JOHN POPPER FOR SEATTLE TSUNAMI RELIEF CONCERT

SEATTLE, WA (January 20, 2005)- Stolen Ogre along with Blues Traveler vocalist/harpist John Popper have been added to the stellar line up of the Music Aid Northwest and KZOK 102.5 FM benefit, The Tsunami Relief Concert, 8 p.m. January 28th 2005 at The Premier Club.

Other performers include the debut of Alan White's "White" (featuring drummer Alan White of YES, John Lennon's "Imagine" LP, George Harrison's "All Things Must Past" LP), rock-fusion act The Geoffrey Castle Band (with special guest guitarist Roger Fisher and drummer Mike Derosier of Heart and Alias), and an all-star finale including special guest T.B.A. General admission tickets will be available through www.care.org/musicaid and at the door. The announcement and interview with Alan White about the concert on KZOK's The Bob River Show can be heard on Stolen Ogre's website at www.stolenogre.com.

Stolen Ogre's Michael McMorrow said, "I am honored to be part of the larger tsunami relief effort; to be part of the humanitarian side of the human race, a part of our true common cause to help each other as one human race, one world. We don't have much control over Mother Nature; but we do have control over how we treat each other, how we respect one another. It's all in how we respond, how we act as people. Unfortunately, it takes an event like this to wake us up to the fact we are all one family riding on the planet. Though in the big picture our time here is extremely brief, what we do now directly affects the 6 billion + people who will take our place here in a 100 years."

Stolen Ogre's performance with Popper marks an interesting full circle for the band. It was on a H.O.R.D.E. festival tour that McMorrow met and jammed with Blues Traveler drummer Brendan Hill. Inspired from those jam sessions, Hill along with McMorrow became founding members of Stolen Ogre which, in fact, was named after a good luck ogre doll that resided on Hill's drum kit during Blues Traveler's early years. Hill also recorded on the band's current release Road To Jericho of which Enigma magazine noted, "It is really hard trying to put these people in a specific genre because they take so much from so many different areas. Bottom line, its rock, folk, jam and pop all mixed together in one big happy concoction."

All concert proceeds from The Tsunami Relief Concert will benefit CARE's tsunami relief effort. Updates and information are available at http://www.musicaidnorthwest.com and www.care.org/musicaid.

January 28th, The Premier Club, 1700 1st Ave, South, Seattle. 8:00p.m. Doors open at 7:00p.m. General admission tickets: $25.00. 21 & older.

WINTER 2004--- STOLEN OGRE BRINGS LITTLE DRUMMER BOY DEBUT TO RADIO - TOP 5 SHOWING FOR ACME UNDERGROUND RECORDING -

SEATTLE, WA, November 18, 2004 Stolen Ogre is bringing in the holidays in the fashion that they took on all of 2004 – setting firsts and taking the music to new territories. From the release of their first full length CD Road To Jericho to crossing the country for a string of successful Northeast dates including two shows in New York City, the band has spent the last year spreading their soul infused rock to legions of new fans.

Now Stolen Ogre has put its unique musical touch on the Christmas classic "Little Drummer Boy". The single has been released to Triple A public radio/NPR as well as to select commercial stations in the Northwest.

The band’s Michael McMorrow said of the single, "We always thought about doing a holiday song and Little Drummer Boy was a mutual favorite of all of us. For some reason all musicians seem to like Little Drummer Boy. We actually recorded it last year and this year just seemed to be the year to release it."

In other updates from the Northeast swing, WVIA FM's Homegrown Music segment recently aired a Stolen Ogre special and live performance which included a new song, "House of Candy".

And a live recording of Stolen Ogre’s New York City appearance at the Acme Underground on 8/31/04 found its way to www.archive.org , one of the internet’s largest portals for sanctioned live music recordings. Out of nearly 18 thousand live music recordings, Stolen Ogre has remained in the Top 5 downloaded shows since the recording first appeared on the archive over a month ago.

Currently, the band is in Seattle in writing sessions for the follow up to Road To Jericho and will start 2005 in Stolen Ogre fashion again by spreading the music with a spring tour of the South.

FALL 2004--- STOLEN OGRE TO PERFORM AT SEATTLE'S FABULOUS RAINBOW FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL RUN OF THE NORTHEAST

SEATTLE, WA, September. 15, 2004 –Stolen Ogre will perform at The Fabulous Rainbow on September 25th at 10 pm. The show will be the first Seattle performance since the band's return from a successful run of the Northeast.

The band, in support of its new release Road To Jericho, played New York area dates including thier NYC debut at the famed Lion's Den in the heart of the West Village with Hot Buttered Rum String Band. The Village Voice sited the show with a recommended listing. Relix Magazine saw Stolen Ogre's set and invited the band to play a private mid-day mini-concert at the Relix home offices in Manhattan. The band also played the legendary Asbury Park club The Saint and NYC's Acme Underground.

Following the Scranton, PA area show at The River Street Jazz Café, Stolen Ogre taped a live performance and interview at WVIA/FM studios. George Graham/Program Director congratulated the band on "a great honest record that a couple of generations of rock fans can relate to." The Stolen Ogre radio special will air late September in conjunction with national release of Road To Jericho to college radio this fall. The CD has already received early support and airplay from Boston's Suffolk University and the University of Minnesota where it is already getting air-play on KUMD's morning drive and mid-day eclectic shows.

SUMMER 2004--- STOLEN OGRE WILL PLAY THIER DEBUT NEW YORK CITY SHOW, AUGUST 25th, THE LIONS DEN, NORTHEAST DATES TO FOLLOW

SEATTLE, WA, July, 2004 – On the heels of thier first full length release "Road to Jericho", Stolen Ogre will debut in NYC at the Lions Den, 10pm in Lower Manhattan. Also on the bill will be Nothern California's "Hot Buttered Rum String Band" and Austin Texas based "Dexter Freebish". This is Stolen Ogre's first and long awaited visit to the Northeast.

While out in the Northeast, Stolen Ogre will be playing the following shows, August 25, 10 pm , The Lions Den, NYC,NY; August 26th, The River Street Jazz Cafe, Plains, PA ; August 27th, The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ and August 31, Acme Underground, NYC NY. Other dates are in the works.

SEATTLE, WA, June, 2004 – Stolen Ogre's "Road to Jericho" has been being heard on many stations across the county as the public radio/NPR push is developing. Stations in Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts, and Colorado have been playing "Jericho" and "Love Me Alone". WVIA in Scranton PA has had Stolen Ogre on the charts for 8 weeks where the Album hit at #2 for 2 weeks on WVIA'S 40 top new releases and remains in the top ten.

While Ogre is gaining attention in the land of NPR, the Album will be be released nationally to College Radio.

The album is available for orde on-line at CDbaby.com and TowerRecords.com as well as stores in the Greater Seattle Area, including Tower Records, Cellophane Square, and Easy Street Records.

June 2004--- STOLEN OGRE'S ROAD TO JERICHO PUBLIC RADIO/NPR CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY ~ OGRE GOES TO COLLEGE